Chapter 2. Tobacco Fields

The Tobacco Fields

Chapter 2

FIELDS

FROM THE GROUND UP.

Prior to each growing season, before our precious new plants take root, the soil is tested for five key elements. Sufficient levels of Boron, Magnesium, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphate are measured and mixed into the soil. The trademark of such highly nutritious soil is a beautifully dark, almost black color. Once the field is properly assessed, each tobacco plant is transplanted individually to ensure maximum quality.

PARTS OF A CIGAR

WRAPPER, BINDER, & FILLER

Tobacco plants are grown to provide the building blocks of every cigar. Once harvested, each leaf will be classified as a wrapper, binder or filler. These classifications pertain to the different layers that create a cigar. Filler tobacco is located in the center of the cigar and is responsible for the cigar’s taste. Binder tobacco wraps around the filler tobacco, holding the cigar together. A wrapper leaf is the outermost layer of a cigar, giving the cigar its color and feel.

SUN GROWN VS SHADE GROWN

SUN GROWN

Tobacco plants can be either Sun Grown or Shade Grown. Sun grown tobacco will only reach 5 ½ feet in height and its leaves will be used for the wrapper, binder, and filler.

Sun Grown

Shade Grown

SHADE GROWN

Shade-grown tobacco will be grown under cheesecloth, blocking out up to 65% of the sun’s UV rays. These plants will grow up to 9 feet, and unlike Sun Grown, Shade Grown leaves will generally be used only for the wrapper.

THE HARVEST

REAPING THE BENEFITS

After 100 days, the plants are harvested from bottom to top in sections. These sections are classified as Seco the bottom of the plant, Viso the middle, and Ligero the top of the plant. These three sections are further subdivided by layer into smaller groups called primings. Each leaf of the plant can supply a slightly different flavor. By dividing the plant further into primings, Rocky Patel has greater control in pinpointing the exact flavor he wants from each of his plants.

ENTERING

THE FACTORY

THE FACTORY

WELCOME TO THE ROCKY PATEL FACTORY

From the coveted fields to our signature curing barns and facilities, to our bustling factories, our tobacco moves from one premium establishment to another – because everything we do is premium. Anything less wouldn't be worthy of the label.

Chapter 4

Sorting & Fermentation

Sorting & Fermentation

REHYDRATED. REVITALIZED. INFORMATION

Our cigars are premium inside and out. But it’s not just the quality that makes it premium; it’s the delicate nature in which each individual tobacco leaf is sorted. After curing and prior to fermentation, every single leaf must be classified as either: wrapper, binder, or filler...

LETTING SIT

Chapter 8

Judging Aesthetics

Quality Control on Aesthetics

"AESTHETICS"

After the aging room, each cigar goes through yet another round of quality control. We sacrifice nothing when it comes to flavor. We don’t cut corners and we don’t compromise. We make every effort, no matter how tedious, to clean up any and all rough edges...

Chapter 10

Banding & Boxing

Banding & Boxing

A SIGNATURE LOOK

Whether box-pressed or left round, our cigars are then branded with our label. Carefully, decisively and proudly we band each of our cigars. The band is not just a label to queue what tastes will be revealed within the cigar, it is a testament to the labor and craftsmanship that went into every individual leaf...

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PARTING WORDS

We put a lot of love into our cigars. When we brand and box them with the Rocky Patel logo, it’s not just for the purpose of sale. It’s an opportunity to pay homage to a living legend. And it’s our chance to say, “goodbye, good luck, and make us proud.”